Fear of blood, injections and fainting as barriers to blood donation in Brazil

Author(s)

Zucoloto, Miriane Lucindo ^[1] ; Goncalez, Thelma ^[2] ; Menezes, Neia Prata ^[3] ; McFarland, Willi ^[3] ; Custer, Brian ^{[2, 4]} ; Martinez, Edson Zangiacomi ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Social Med, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Blood Syst Res Inst, San Francisco, CA - USA

^[3] Univ Calif San Francisco, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, San Francisco, CA 94143 - USA

^[4] Univ Calif San Francisco, Dept Lab Med, San Francisco, CA 94143 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Vox Sanguinis; v. 114, n. 1, p. 38-46, JAN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Background and objectives The objective of the present study was to investigate the fear of blood, injections and fainting as barriers to blood donation in a sample of primary healthcare users in a Brazilian municipality. Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional survey of primary care patients in 12 randomly selected healthcare facilities in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil in 2015-2016. Key variables were lifetime blood donation history, intentions to donate blood among non-donors and current donation practice. To assess fear of blood in general (FBG), fear of injections in general (FIG) and fear of fainting due to fear of injection (FFI), we used the Blood Injection/Fear Scale (BIFS). We tested associations between variables using regression models and conditional inference trees (CIT). Results A total of 1055 primary healthcare users participated (79 center dot 7% female, mean age 40 center dot 6 years {[}SD = 15 center dot 2]), 63 center dot 4% never donated blood, 13 center dot 3% reported they are unable to donate, 6 center dot 1% donated only once, 17 center dot 2% donated multiple times. Women had higher scores for FIG and FBG. FFI was associated with middle socioeconomic status. Those who never intended to donate exhibited the highest scores in the three dimension of fear. By CIT analysis, being female and high scores for FBG are associated with decreased blood donation. Among males, blood donation frequency is low among those aged 33 years and under. Conclusion Fear of blood, injections and fainting are barriers to blood donation in Brazil. Efforts to recruit and retain blood donors should convey information on blood donation processes and address misconceptions that may increase fear. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/14020-6 - Knowledge, religiosity, fear, quality of life and other variables of interest associated with the practice of blood donation
• Grantee: Miriane Lucindo Zucoloto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/19252-8 - Knowledge, religiosity, fear, quality of life and other interest variables associated with blood donation practice
• Grantee: Miriane Lucindo Zucoloto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate